Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sometimes, people start out with a specific vision that eventually turns out differently. This is evident in the names of two restaurants we've sampled in Davao City.

Delongtes, for example is named "Delongtes Seafood Grill and BBQ" and though it still is basically a barbecue place, most people order non-seafood. One reason is that they are relatively cheaper. I prefer chicken barbecue most times, then add side entrees like grilled liver or those crunchy calamari. The sauce they use for their barbecues is a delectable mix of mouth watering concoction that drives you to empty your plate.

Delongtes has been in the business for several years already. I remember when they were still a simple eatery similar to dimly-lit turu-turo bars, but they have since upgraded to a posh, sophisticated place with a relaxed atmosphere and laid back charm. Most nights, they employ live music - though quality of their live performers tend to be uneven; some excellent performers, others mediocre. But the salient feature of any restaurant solely rests on the quality and taste of their food. This is where they have absolutely succeeded.

The odd name - "delongtes" - is actually a Visayan word play of "The Long Taste", whatever that means. Their barbecue orders are inexpensive: pork bbq at P26 a stick, liver at P25 a stick, calamares at P230 an order, crispy kangkong (crisp water spinach leaves) at P120 a plate, steamed rice at P20 an order, coke in can at P20, San Miguel Beer pale pilsen at P40, etc.

Delongtes has two branches: one at Tulip Drive beside SM City Davao and another at NCCC Mall. Call 082-2293294 for inquiries.

Chicken and Pork barbecue with chicken liver

Calamares

Live performers: a great duo that does justice to the songs of Alicia Keys, then suddenly switches to a "Stars on 45" medley. :)

Entrance

Yummy Chicken and Pasta Haus is a relatively new joint, although its signage outside says it started in 1988. Despite its name (i.e. chicken and pasta), one of its specialties isn't pasta, but the very local dish - pork and chicken humba (pictured below). A plate includes rice and macaroni salad. And it tastes as heavenly as it looks.

What I like about this joint, aside from excellent food, is its minimalist design and how clean it is. Everything glistens. And nothing beats a spotless joint where food is concerned. This restaurant is located at Amigleo Building, along Torres Street.

Finally, we are taking note of the emergence of the dragon fruit in Davao City. Though Dragon Fruit or "Strawberry Pear", also known as "Pitaya" in southeast asia (thanh long in Vietnam, buah naga in Malaysia and Indonesia, kaeo mangkon in Thailand) is quite endemic in Asia, this is almost virtually unknown in the Philippines. But it is gradually making its presence known, although in pricier rates. We first tasted this while visiting Luang Prabang in north Laos. We got the red variety (sweeter, but leaves violaceous stains on your hands and lips). The other variety is the white one. Another side effect of Dragon Fruit: it helps to "move" bowels, like the durian, papaya and pomelo.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Dragon Fruit is the fruit of a cactus species. The red variety is rich in phosphorus, while the white (yellow) is rich in calcium. It's also believed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure; and when eaten regularly helps prevent cancer (it increases excretion of heavy metal toxins). Though very cheap elsewhere in Asia, it costs P100-160 per piece in the Philippines (almost 4-5x more expensive).

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Like fast moving clips from a projector, images of a vibrant city are captured in seconds: school children crossing a street; a mall energizing a fast growing metropolis; a lady smoking in a non-smoking city; vehicles moving towards Chinatown (Sta. Ana); colorful flags billowing along Bolton Bridge; a gigantic green-colored billboard dwarfing shanties down below; a deserted spare-parts shop; a busy street populated by multicabs; and a university standing proud before an afternoon sun.

They all have hundreds of stories to tell. I can only imagine.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

SM Mall has energized the city and has spawned brisk development in a once-sleepy district.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

How is a room at the 14th floor of Marco Polo? Considering you had to shell out more than 10x the price of staying at a less hospitable place like Roadway Inn, the difference is staggering. In fact, you notice every exponential increase in the quality of service, amenities and atmosphere. Marco Polo Davao is centrally located. It is also the city's tallest building. Just across it is Aldevinco as well as Ateneo de Davao University.

Though security is tight, the lobby is relaxed. A special painting hangs at the foyer - 16 yellow roses on blue vases. This was a gift from beloved former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino. The rooms provide awesome views of the sea and of Samal Island. Every inch of the premises is spotless. For the fitness buff, it has a two-story fitness center. If that isn't enough, the outdoor lap pool - all 25 meters (82 feet) is always at your beckon and call. They also have the Lazuli Spa in the same floor as the swimming pool and "The Deck" (a resort-style restaurant beside the pool). The hotel has five restaurants: Cafe Marco, Eagles Bar, Lobby Lounge, Lotus Court (for Cantonese cuisine and your seafood fix) and Polo Bistro (for intercontinental cuisine).

It's hard to complain about Marco Polo's amenities and services. World class hotel with world class rates. Does anyone expect less?

Marco Polo Davao is located along CM Recto Street. Check them out here:

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A hidden and partially ignored temple in Davao City is tucked in a residential commune of RG Village in Agdao - Mindanao Taoist Temple.

This taoist temple sits on a quiet neighborhood that looks abandoned, with gates shut most times. It has a central octagonal building with an altar facing the entrance. Its more distinctive characteristic is not only its thematic octagonal shape, but the windows surrounding the building - they are shaped like "bagwa's" which, in Chinese belief, are objects that encourage the flow of chi (life force) and deflect bad luck. This three-storey building have cabinets decked with figures of their saints. You have to make your way through a narrow spiral staircase to get to the 2nd and 3rd levels. Curiously, one of the "saints" on display was that of Jesus Christ. Having said that, I was told by the caretaker that the Taoists are also mostly Christians (Catholics), thus this religious sect doesn't necessarily veer away from the main religious movement of the country.

Adjacent to this octagonal temple is another hallway that contains names of dead Chinese people hanging down pieces of paper, placed inside a cabinet. This is a place where people could pray for them, a sanctuary for the departed.

Entrance is free, but you have to offer gratuities to the caretaker for showing you around the compound.

Mindanao Taoist Temple is found in 41 Juan de la Cruz Street in RG Village, Agdao district. The easiest way is through JP Cabaguio. When you see NGK Auto Supply or MDC Trading, turn left to Garnet Street; then turn left at the next, passing through a misplaced post in the middle of a narrow road - a tight passage for 4x4 vehicles to pass through. You can't miss the temple from there.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Bagwa windows

An octagonal ceiling.

Taoist altar. Notice a cabinet full of replicas of their saints. There's more in each floor.

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This is Eye in the Sky sipping coffee at the Dochula Pass 10, 500 feet above sea level. The mountain pass is located 30 minutes away from Thimpu, the Bhutanese capital. The pass offers breath-taking views of the snow capped Himalayan ranges.

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Paris Charles De Gaulle's Predeparture Area is an eye-candy.

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Revelry at San Agustin Church

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Serenity at the Gap Farming Resort, Davao City

The Mekong as public bathroom in Don Kong, Siphandon's biggest island in South Laos.

Taj Mahal in Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh: Every bit as stunning!

Rowing down Buriganga River from Sadarghat, one of the most sublime experiences to experience in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh.

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Wooden pathway from the glass chapel on a hill to the beach in Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines.

Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma) - One early morning, I took a walk around the city when I suddenly noticed a parade of novice nuns (female monks) making their way from one block to the next. I was fascinated with their shaved head and the exuberance of pink and orange. For some reason, I just followed them, like a tail at the end of a queue. Before reaching their temple, this girl suddenly turns around and - naughtily makes a face! Snap!

Sunset and the Temples of Bagan. Boasting of more than 2,000 preserved temples built during the 6th century, Bagan outnumbers Angkor Wat's temples several times over. Bagan is Myanmar's most arid, with desert-like terrain, located some 600 km north of the former capital of Yangon. It is a 12-15 hour bus ride. This was from the Old Bagan area. My hotel was in Nyaung U. I hired a horse-drawn carriage to roam.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan's Blue City. This was taken from the Mehrangar Fort which sits atop a 150 meter hill. The fort is a whole city in itself, and would take 3-4 hours on a fast roving.

My camel Deeshka & his owner Dipsingh - I was waiting for the sunset at the Thar Desert which is located at the fringes of Jaisalmer, a boundary between India and Pakistan. It was a comfortable, wobbly 2-hour ride in the calm & quiet sand dunes.

Old Sukhothaii - 6 hours south of Chiangmai, 6 hours north of Bangkok, 1 hour from Phitsanulok

A tea house in Hangzhou, China

Shanghai, China - just a few walks from Xintiandi's Taicang Road

Inside Wat Niwet - Gothic Catholic-Inspired Buddhist Temple, Thailand

Maritime Museum, Old Batavia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Grande Island, Subic

On the way to Pau Gu Grotto, Thien Cung, Ha Long

Cave of the Heavenly Palace

Thien Cung Cave

2 boatmen, Ha Long Bay, Halong City

Ho Chi Minh Museum (their great hero's memorabilias)

dolls, temple of literature

Hanoi

are you lonesome - hanoi

selling what?

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

The Bayon (mysterious smiling faces looking down on you anywhere you turn)

Ta Prohm entrance

Banteay Srey (said to be the most beautiful coz of its pinkish color) - this is the "girly temple", and though it is pretty in reddish-pink, the area doesn't match the scope and grandeur of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Keo, Preah Khan, etc. It is also very far from the central temples, about 37kms from Siem Reap. I absolutely enjoyed the ride going there. Wind against my face, sun-soaked fields, and my tuktuk.

The Bayon's smiling faces - some 200 of them

Ta Prohm - nature vs. man-made structures

An alley at Angkor Wat. It took me a good 15 minutes to decongest this hallway just to get this shot. I was competing with a french man who wouldn't leave. At any time of the day, these temples are filled with tourists, bus-loads! The temples open at 5AM and close at 5PM. Other far-flung temples in the vicinity of the jungles like Sra Srang are less populous - unguarded and dangerous (landmines, local hoodlums waiting for lone trekkers, etc.). Tourists can visit such sites at their own risk.

Angkor Thom - kunyari 1204 BC. He he...

off the beaten track

Notre Dame Cathedral - near the main post office, Saigon. Gloomy day and I wasn't happy with the colors I was getting. My solution - good old sepia.